Monday

The temptation after Sunday’s 27-20 win was to ask Romeo Crennel if he’s going charter jet or stretch limo to Disney World.

“We kind of needed it,”Crennel said, meaning the win, not the junket.

You knew Joshua Cribbs’ hyperactive emotions would be stoked after his team, which had four wins all last year, went to 4-3.

“It lets us know we no longer have to dwell on the past,”Cribbs said. “At this point last year, I mean, where were we?’’

The same place they were in 2005 -- 2-5 after seven games.

The vibe could crash with losses to Seattle, a playoff team the last four
years, and Pittsburgh, which has forgotten how to lose to Cleveland.

“It really doesn’t mean anything,”said Kellen Winslow Jr., whose 21-yard touchdown catch gave the Browns their first lead late the first half. “We’re not the Patriots or Indianapolis. I mean, we’re in the hunt, but that’s about it.’’

There was plenty for Browns fans -- there were thousands of them raising the Edwards Jones Dome roof -- to cheer about.

Skinny Derek Anderson keeps turning the “Brady, Brady”chants into a fading whisper. He was 18-of-25 for 248 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a fat 143.0 rating.

Braylon Edwards racked up 117 more receiving yards and two more touchdowns, giving him 669 and nine through seven games.

Joe Jurevicius made five catches for 76 yards and was magical on
third-and-longs.

Jamal Lewis and four other ball carriers tag teamed for 133 rushing yards.

The Browns won a second straight game for the first time since 2003 and won on the road for the first time this year.

Yet, there were haunting reminders of Browns seasons gone bad.

They played Swiss cheese defense in falling behind 14-0.

They had their worst flag day of 2007, 14 penalties for 102 yards.

They were poised to push the Rams off a cliff but couldn’t do it.

Up by a touchdown and needing only a closeout first down, Anderson threw to Edwards, who wasn’t paying attention.

The ball hit the ground, Dave Zastudil punted, and the Browns weren’t off the hook until Leigh Bodden made an interception.

“We have to get better,”Winslow said. “I mean, they’re an 0-8 team, and we beat ‘em by 7. That’s really disappointing.’’

The start was terrible. It took the Browns more than a quarter to assert themselves, but they did it with gusto.

On a 67-yard touchdown drive, Lewis ran with force and Anderson passed with precision.

On a 12-yard TD, Edwards outmaneuvered cornerback Fakhir Brown at the goal line, then tomahawk dunked over the crossbar.

“I gave him a jump ball and he jumped up and made a really good catch,’’ Anderson said.

The defense made a stop on downs and the offense cranked out a 65-yard drive.

Cribbs’ flashy 18-yard run on second-and-9 set up a pretty 21-yard touchdown throw. Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. ran by safety Oshiomogho Atogwe and reached at the goal line to snare a high strike from Anderson.

“The safety was cheatin’,”Anderson said. “Running down the seam, Kellen is a really athletic guy.’’

That sequence helped turn a 14-0 deficit into a 17-all halftime tie.
Poor Fakhir Brown. He was covering Edwards again on the first series of the third quarter. He couldn’t have been closer without sharing Edwards’ shoes.

But like Winslow, Edwards is so good at using body position. He has a
quarterback who can throw heat. He reached where Brown could not to catch a 12-yard touchdown pass that made it 24-17.

Jeff Wilkins gave the Rams a 46-yard field goal, but Phil Dawson countered with a 45-yarder to make it 27-20 with 10:35 left in the game.

The Rams were very alive with a fourth-and-1 at the Cleveland 16 at the two-minute warning. The Browns would give up 393 yards on the day, but on this play safety Sean Jones stuffed Brian Leonard for no gain.

“I had his leg and wouldn’t let go,” Jones said.

The Browns had an important win, but one veteran, defensive end Robaire Smith, was ready to let go almost as soon as he was dressed.

“You need a short memory in the NFL,”Smith said. “After 24 hours, throw it away and get ready for Seattle.’’